paragraph
1 of 2noun
par·a·graph ˈper-ə-ˌgraf 
ˈpa-rə-
1
a
: a subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line
The introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.
b
: a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph
2
: a character (such as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference mark
paragraphic
ˌper-ə-ˈgra-fik
adjective ˌpa-rə-
paragraph
2 of 2verb
paragraphed; paragraphing; paragraphs
transitive verb
1
: to write paragraphs about
2
: to divide into paragraphs
intransitive verb
: to write paragraphs
Example Sentences
Noun In the second paragraph from the bottom, you've misspelled “their” as “thier.” Please refer to section 2, paragraph 4 for the appropriate information. The two introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pam Mcloughlin, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 This is in contrast to a hard return, inserted by pressing the Enter key, which would start a whole new paragraph. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Additionally, Goodlett added a paragraph to the affidavit stating investigators verified, through databases, that listed Taylor's address as Glover's as of February 2020, which the indictment states was misleading. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2022 Sharma approached each page of the new version with extraordinary vigor and care, and there is scarcely a paragraph that hasn’t been improved, and if unnecessary, cut. New York Times, 12 July 2022 As several users pointed out in response to Midler's subsequent tweets, Paul's op-ed also contains rhetoric that can be seen as anti-trans — particularly a paragraph that takes issue with trans-inclusive words. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 July 2022 Somewhere in the companies' policies — never revealed on the web page when travelers had to make a choice — was a paragraph that said the companies didn't cover pandemics. Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 24 June 2022 The writing assignment was exceedingly simple: a quick paragraph to introduce myself. Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 18 Apr. 2022 The Daily Times ran only one paragraph on the newspaper’s seventh page — 18 lines of newsprint — about the flight. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
There is no financial burden of proof to get an instrument — just a paragraph from the child on what impact music has had or will have on them. Pam Mcloughlin, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 This is in contrast to a hard return, inserted by pressing the Enter key, which would start a whole new paragraph. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Additionally, Goodlett added a paragraph to the affidavit stating investigators verified, through databases, that listed Taylor's address as Glover's as of February 2020, which the indictment states was misleading. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Aug. 2022 Sharma approached each page of the new version with extraordinary vigor and care, and there is scarcely a paragraph that hasn’t been improved, and if unnecessary, cut. New York Times, 12 July 2022 As several users pointed out in response to Midler's subsequent tweets, Paul's op-ed also contains rhetoric that can be seen as anti-trans — particularly a paragraph that takes issue with trans-inclusive words. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 July 2022 Somewhere in the companies' policies — never revealed on the web page when travelers had to make a choice — was a paragraph that said the companies didn't cover pandemics. Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 24 June 2022 The writing assignment was exceedingly simple: a quick paragraph to introduce myself. Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 18 Apr. 2022 The Daily Times ran only one paragraph on the newspaper’s seventh page — 18 lines of newsprint — about the flight. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English paragraf marginal sign marking a paragraph, from Anglo-French parogref, from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line used to mark change of persons in a dialogue, from paragraphein to write alongside, from para- + graphein to write — more at carve
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing paragraph
Kids Definition
paragraph
noun
para·graph ˈper-ə-ˌgraf
: a part of a piece of writing that is made up of one or more sentences and has to do with one topic or gives the words of one speaker
Legal Definition
paragraph
noun
para·graph
: a distinct often numbered or otherwise designated section of a document or writing (as a statute or pleading)